He's only eight but little Matthew Algie has had a tough time of it over the years.

He's only eight but little Matthew Algie has had a tough time of it over the years.

Diagnosed with leukaemia when he was only two, he's since spent time in hospital enduring sometimes gruelling treatment for the disease.

But because of the bravery he's always shown, now Matthew, from Acklam, Middlesbrough, has been nominated as a Champion Child of Courage in the Gazette's Community Champions Awards.

His nomination came from Mary Lee, organiser of the Celebration of Life After Cancer fashion show.

Matthew was one of a group of youngsters who took part in the catwalk show which raised cash and awareness. Matthew's cancer recurred in 2000 and he was given a stem cells transplant form his newborn sister Rebecca.

The vital cells came from Rebecca's umbilical cord blood.

It was an unbelieveable time for mum Janet and husband Jeff.

They had Matthew in one hospital bed and knew that the baby they were due to have was the only chance of his survival.

Sadly, 13 months later Matthew relapsed and needed a bone marrow transplant from his sister as the only possible treatment.

Throughout all the heartache, Matthew has kept his shy smile and his will to help others through fundraising events like the Celebration of Life fashion show, says Mary Lee.

"Matthew has even raised money on his own for cancer charities," she said.

"In the Celebration of Life fashion show he played a great Bob the Builder in one of the scenes.

"Matthew is a delightful and courageous little boy who has coped remarkably well with his illness."

Mum Janet said: "We did some sponsored play at the Wacky Warehouse which Matthew and his friends were involved in and the money went to the RVI in Newcastle where he had a lot of treatment." she said.

* CATEGORIES in the Gazette's Community Champion Awards are:

Champion Teacher; Champion Neighbour; Champion for the Elderly; Champion for Disabled; Champion for Youth; Champion for Community Sport; Best Community Group;

Champion for Environment; Champion Community Business; Champion Child of Courage; Young Community Champion; Lifetime Achievement Community Champion; Community Champion 2002

Look out for a nomination form in the Gazette tomorrow or send your nomination, detailing why that person should win, to: Community Champions, Events Department Desk, Evening Gazette, Borough Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 3AZ. You can also e-mail duane.newton@gazettemedia.co.uk with your nomination.